Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

With a rectangular-section hoop and a raised rectangular bezel with a stylised gryphon. 3.05 grams, 22.01 mm overall, 17.76 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Featuring a flat-section hoop and a lentoid bezel with an inscription. 0.90 grams, 15.46 mm overall, 14.01 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F 1/2, USA 3, Europe 4.3, Japan 4)



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The cross with an articulated loop and an X-motif above and below a central panel with a facing bust. 5.93 grams, 30 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Bulbous body with pointed base and domed mouth, two circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 403 grams, 10.5 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια, where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Comprising a flat-section hoop with faint remains of inscription '+ C...ON', the bezel with a stylised depiction of a military saint on a horse slaying the dragon. 4.09 grams, 22.03 mm overall, 19.28 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Bulbous body with a domed mouth, a circumferential band on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 374 grams, 11 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια, where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

With a tapering octagonal body, the military saint on horseback holding a long spear, the horse wearing a detailed harness; set in a conical silver frame with suspension loop and crenellated edge. 7.9 grams, 30 mm



From an old New Zealand private collection. Acquired on the New Zealand art market circa 2014. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12327-223721.

The motif of a saint on horseback was common in the Romano-Christian culture of the 6th-7th centuries. The figure of a saint symbolised protection of the local church or monastery and its community, and could also be related to the priest leader of the community, as their personal seal.

Comprising a D-section hoop and an oval bezel with a cross flanked by two adoring figures. 1.66 grams, 17.78 mm overall, 15.34 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Plano-convex in section with reserved impression of a vertical pillar, ladder to one side, mother and infant to the other, crescent, star and other objects in the field. 15 grams, 33 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Tongue-shaped plate with a slender animal facing back, possibly depicting a ferret, pellets on the background. 7.6 grams, 41 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Stub handle to the rear, the body decorated with pellets and diagonal strokes, an expanding cross on the nozzle, flanked by two rosettes. 73 grams, 85 mm



Ex Ancient Art Shop, Windsor, UK, 1990s. Ex private West County, UK, collection.

Enkolpion cross pommée hinged at the base and closure with facetted suspension loop above; obverse with silver-inlaid cross and (abraded) monogram to each roundel; reverse with abraded Corpus Christi. 38.3 grams, 82 mm



From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.